Held & Heard: Infant potty training, elimination communication & postpartum motherhood

Heather Medlin, Ready From Birth
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Held and Heard is a podcast for mothers who believe their babies are communicating from the very beginning—and that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Hosted by Heather Medlin, mother of three and founder of Ready From Birth, this show explores elimination communication (EC), infant potty training, and the deeper postpartum journey of learning to listen—to your baby, your body, and your intuition. You’ll hear conversations about: - Baby-led toilet learning from birth - Understanding your baby’s signals - Practicing EC in real life (while working, using diapers, and staying sane) - Navigating doubt, resistance, and confidence as a new mother This is not about perfection or pressure. It’s about communication, connection, and remembering what you already know. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, EC-curious, or already practicing—this is a place to land, exhale, and feel less alone.

  1. Aug 10

    026 / The 5 Things Every Newborn Needs (The Secret to a Calm, Peaceful Baby)

    Have you ever watched another mom with a peaceful, content newborn and wondered... "What is she doing differently?" Maybe you've convinced yourself she just got lucky. Maybe her baby is naturally easy. But what if the difference isn't the baby at all? In this episode, I'm sharing the five basic needs every newborn has—and the one that almost every parent is taught to ignore. We'll talk about why babies cry, why "colic" often leaves parents feeling helpless, and how learning to recognize your baby's communication can completely change your postpartum experience. Inside this episode you'll learn: The five basic needs every newborn is trying to communicate Why a crying baby isn't a "bad" baby The surprising biological need almost every newborn care class leaves out Why some babies seem calmer—not because they're easier, but because they're better understood How learning to recognize your baby's cues builds confidence for both of you Whether you're still pregnant or holding your newborn in your arms right now, this episode will help you stop guessing and start understanding. If you're ready to learn exactly how to recognize your own baby's communication—including the elimination cues almost nobody talks about—the Born Ready course is the complete guide from birth through walking. Learn more about Born Ready. ---- Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com 🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today! 🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers 📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

  2. Aug 3

    025 / My 15-Month-Old Couldn't Wear a Diaper...But He Knew What do Do Instead.

    When my 15-month-old caught a virus from his new daycare, everything changed overnight. His rash was so severe that he couldn't comfortably wear a diaper. As I cared for him through fever, blisters, sleepless nights, and a week at home, I found myself unexpectedly grateful for one decision we'd made from the very beginning: learning to listen to his potty signals. He didn't suddenly become capable because he got sick. He had been communicating all along. In this episode, I'm sharing the story of one difficult week that completely reinforced why I believe the best time to begin elimination communication isn't "when life settles down"—it's from the very beginning, when your baby is already wired to communicate. We'll talk about: Why waiting until "later" often makes things harder, not easier. What my son's illness revealed about babies' natural awareness. The surprising benefits of building communication long before potty independence. Why the fruit of EC comes from the practice, not just the end result. If you've ever thought, "I'll start when things calm down," this episode is for you. And if listening leaves you wondering what your own baby's signals might look like, I'd love to help you experience your very first catch. Join me inside The First Catch Weekend, where I'll walk you through exactly how to recognize your baby's natural timing, make your first catch in the potty, and discover just how much your baby has been communicating all along. Because once you see your own baby's signals, you'll never look at them the same way again. ----- Learn more at Readyfrombirth.com 🐣Preparing for birth? Know what to do from Day One, start the Born Ready course today! 🐥Ready to get on with toilet independence? Help your baby graduate from EC with Ditch the Diapers 📱Follow along on Instagram @readyfrombirth.ec

  3. Jul 27

    024 / How to Start Potty Training Your Mobile Baby: The 3-Step Framework for 6-18+ Months

    You wanted to start elimination communication from birth... ...but life happened. Maybe postpartum survival took over. Maybe you only recently discovered EC. Maybe your baby is already crawling, cruising, or even walking, and you're wondering if you missed your chance. The good news? You didn't. In this episode, I'll walk you through the exact 3-step framework I use to help parents successfully start potty learning with babies 6-18 months and beyond—even if they've never used a potty before. You'll learn: Why timing matters more than anything else (and how to stop guessing) How to help your baby feel comfortable with the potty instead of resisting it Simple ways to keep even the busiest mobile baby engaged long enough for a successful catch Why older babies are still communicating their need to pee and poop—even if you think they've stopped signaling How to build confidence one catch at a time without pressure, rewards, or forcing the process If you've been waiting for the "right time" to start, this episode is your reminder that today is the right time. Your baby is still communicating. You just need to know what to look for. Ready to get your first catch this weekend? Join First Catch Weekend, my guided experience that walks you through exactly how to recognize your baby's signals, offer the potty with confidence, and experience your first successful catch—often in just one weekend. Learn more at readyfrombirth.com.

  4. Jul 20

    023 / Why EC Still Feels Overwhelming (Even When You're Doing Everything Right)

    You started elimination communication because it felt right. But now you're wondering... Am I offering too often? Am I missing her signals? Why does this still feel so hard? If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out your baby's subtle potty cues - on top of everything else - this episode is for you. Today I'm answering a thoughtful question from one of our podcast listeners who asked how I stayed grounded during those early weeks of trial and error. The truth surprised even me: my confidence didn't come from getting every catch right. It came from something much deeper. In this episode, I'll share: Why learning EC with your first baby feels completely different than your second. The mistake almost every new EC parent makes when trying to build confidence. Why your baby—not a book, not social media, not even me—is ultimately your greatest teacher. The subtle shifts that helped me stop guessing and start recognizing my babies' signals with confidence. How I adapted EC to fit a busy working mom life with daycare, disposable diapers, and three kids. If you've been trying to piece together EC from Instagram posts, AI searches, or free tips online but still feel like something isn't clicking, this episode will help you understand why. Ready to stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby has been communicating all along? Inside Born Ready, I'll teach you the exact framework I developed after years of practicing EC with my own children—so you can learn to see your baby's signals clearly, build confidence faster, and make early potty learning fit your real life as a busy mom. Learn more at Ready From Birth and join us inside Born Ready.

  5. Jul 13

    022 / No, It's Not Colic...(and 4 Other Common Baby Problems You're Probably Misreading)

    What if your baby's biggest "problems" aren't actually problems at all? What if they're communication? In this episode, we're unpacking five everyday parenting struggles that almost every family encounters—from "colic" and bedtime battles to constant nursing, unexplained fussiness, and babies who just won't settle. Most of us have been taught to treat these behaviors as sleep issues, feeding issues, or digestive issues. But what if we've been misreading the signals all along? I'll walk you through five real-life examples of baby communication that are hiding in plain sight and explain why understanding what's really happening can bring more peace, more confidence, and a much deeper connection with your baby. Whether you've never heard of elimination communication before or you've been curious but don't know where to start, this episode will challenge the way you think about your baby's behavior—and help you see your little one with fresh eyes. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "colic" isn't always what it seems. The surprising reason some babies fight sleep. What your breastfeeding struggles might actually be telling you. Why timing isn't the same as understanding your baby's cues. How recognizing one simple pattern can change the way you respond to your baby every day. If this episode leaves you wondering, "What if my baby has been trying to tell me this all along?" I'd love to help you experience it for yourself. First Catch Weekend is a simple, low-pressure way to recognize your baby's communication and get your very first potty catch (and the signal behind it)—without changing your lifestyle or giving up diapers overnight. Learn more at readyfrombirth.com

  6. Jul 6

    021 / What if EC Works...Simply Because It's God's Design for Babies?

    For years, I believed elimination communication worked because I had mastered the "right" techniques and was so in tune with my baby and my intuition. I don't believe that anymore. In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing a simple realization: The evidence for EC can be found right there in the Bible itself - and it will change the way you see your babies forever.  Together we'll explore passages from Genesis, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Jeremiah, the Gospels, and more as we ask a simple question: What if the awareness and capability that makes elimination communication work...is intrinsic to God's design for babies? Whether you're already practicing elimination communication, you're simply curious about infant potty learning, or you're wrestling with questions of faith and motherhood, I hope this conversation encourages you to slow down, look again, and consider what your baby may already be trying to tell you. In this episode: Why biblical life makes me question modern assumptions about babies What Scripture says about God's design for children How my own birth story strengthened my faith Why I believe elimination communication is ultimately about relationship—not potty training If you're curious how to see YOUR baby's signals, the First Catch Weekend will help you catch not just your baby's first poop, but the signal behind it.  Want the complete roadmap? Learn the full path to communication with your baby from birth to toilet independence inside the Born Ready course.

  7. Jun 29

    020 / EC Was Going Great...Why is My Baby Suddenly Refusing the Potty?

    If EC has been feeling harder as your baby grows, and now they're refusing the potty? In this episode, you'll learn why relying on timing alone eventually stops working, why "easy catches" become less reliable as babies grow, and how learning your baby's communication completely changes the experience. You'll discover: • why potty refusal is usually an accuracy problem—not a behavior problem • the difference between offering too early, too late, and just in time • the two foundational skills that make elimination communication dramatically easier • how to recognize the subtle body language your baby is already using before they pee or poop • why mobile babies often appear to "regress" even when their awareness is increasing Heather also shares the simple shift that helped one First Catch Weekend mom go from frustration to catching two pees in a single day after months of struggling. If you've started EC but feel like you're losing momentum, or you've wondered whether your baby has simply outgrown it, this episode will help you see what's actually happening—and once you see it, you won't be able to unsee it. Ready to finally catch a signal...not just a poop? Join First Catch Weekend, where Heather walks you through exactly what to watch for with your own baby over one weekend so you can experience your first confident catches together. → Learn more at Ready From Birth.

  8. Jun 22

    019 / I Thought My Toddler Was Overtired. He Was Trying to Tell Me He Needed to Pee.

    What do you do when your baby has missed naps, missed bedtime, been stuck on an airplane for hours, and is melting down in a hotel room at 3 a.m.? Most parents would assume the answer is sleep. That's exactly what I thought, at first. In this episode, I'm sharing the most stressful travel day I've ever experienced as a mom of three. Flight delays, missed connections, airport chaos, a packed hotel room, and a toddler who absolutely would not settle down. By the middle of the night, I was exhausted, frustrated, and completely out of ideas. But there was one detail I almost missed... And once I saw it, everything changed. This story isn't really about travel. It's about what happens when you stop guessing and start recognizing what your baby is trying to communicate. It's about the difference between reacting to behavior and understanding what's underneath it. And it's a reminder that the "knowing" experienced EC parents talk about isn't magic, intuition, or a special gift—it's a skill you can learn. If you've ever wondered: How do EC parents know when their baby needs to go? What does it actually feel like when it clicks? Can this really work outside of a perfectly controlled environment? How do I become more confident reading my baby's signals? ...this episode is for you. Ready for your first catch? This Friday, June 26, I'm opening the very first First Catch Weekend. Over one simple weekend, I'll help you learn how to recognize your baby's signals, make your first potty catch, and experience the confidence that comes from truly understanding what your baby is trying to tell you. Because once you experience that moment for yourself, you'll never see your baby the same way again. Sign up now for the First Catch Weekend We start Friday, June 26th at 5 PM ET, and I can't wait to show you what's possible with YOUR baby.

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About

Held and Heard is a podcast for mothers who believe their babies are communicating from the very beginning—and that motherhood was never meant to be done alone. Hosted by Heather Medlin, mother of three and founder of Ready From Birth, this show explores elimination communication (EC), infant potty training, and the deeper postpartum journey of learning to listen—to your baby, your body, and your intuition. You’ll hear conversations about: - Baby-led toilet learning from birth - Understanding your baby’s signals - Practicing EC in real life (while working, using diapers, and staying sane) - Navigating doubt, resistance, and confidence as a new mother This is not about perfection or pressure. It’s about communication, connection, and remembering what you already know. If you’re pregnant, postpartum, EC-curious, or already practicing—this is a place to land, exhale, and feel less alone.

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